Well... You were right... You can't just have one!

Hubby and I are having serious discussions about adding to our flock. This time I want to potentially get a rehome/rescue rather than one from a breeder. As amazing as Albie is and as amazing as his breeder is, I want to give a forever home to another bird that needs a second or 5th chance.

It's not something that is going to happen I our immediate future, yeah, it's something we are looking into.

We are realistic in our expectations that albie and new bird may hate each other to the point of needing to keep them separate permanently and we are well prepared to have scheduled playtime but yeah, you really can't just have 1, they are addictive!

Ha, ha, ha . We did warn you..... I have 6, and all are rescues or rehomes. They are awesome birds! You won’t regret it if you take your time and find a bird that you “click” with.

Just remember--1. ANY NEW BIRD must be quarantined in a separate room with extreme caution for the first month/ blood work/exam etc (including paying attention to the clothing you wear in one room, and the other---some diseases can be shared very easily). Also- very glad to hear you want to rescue

It sounds like you are pretty well aware of the risks, but just so you hear someone else say it:

This could work out, or this could complicate your life a lot. Your 2 birds could get along, but they could also become sexual (regardless of gender or species) which could potentially lead to egg-laying (and associated risks), aggression towards humans, and difficulty bonding with the new bird/ apparent "disinterest" from your old bird toward you.

On the flip side, they could hate each other and fight/require 100% separate out-of-cage-time (even if they are sweet individually)---much like people, birds sometimes just don't get along---only it's amplified.

They could also appear to get along but then flip years down the road- so it is definitely an added need for vigilance....

Or things could be great the majority of the time.....That having been said,

You should not leave them unattended if you get another (especially if there is a size difference) because they can fatally harm others (seemingly out of the blue).

I am not saying DEFINITELY not to get another, but only do so if you can devote at least 3 hours to separate out-of-cage/ interaction PER BIRD (worst-case-scenario). Also, remember that if either bird isn't sexually mature, a lot will change when those hormones kick in.

ALWAYS plan for the worst-case-scenario and hope for the best. If you cannot make the worst-case-scenario work, then don't take the plunge just yet.

As always, excellent advice from Noodles. I'll just add this, it's a sticky in the training forum.

http://www.parrotforums.com/training/74214-introducing-second-bird.html

Welcome, our new victim of MBS (Multiple Bird Syndrome) Hahahaha! I hope Albie plays nice with a new friend!

One could argue you can’t just have two either.




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Noodles, albie hasn't hit puberty yet which is why we are waiting because.... Well... Puberty hahah, and because of needing a vet check with bloods on the new one (even though the the 2 rescues I'm looking at say they do a vet check with bloods) my bird vets isn't open their small animal branch is but their exotics are currently shut and I don't want the added stress of what ifs when I don't have a local vet. It's stressful enough with albie knowing his vet is shut and the advice is to go to the emergency vet if something happens.

We are well prepared to give each bird individual time should they hate each other to the point of fights to the death, as I said its because we want another, not because I think albie wants a friend.

Saxguy, thanks for the sticky, I'll go read it now!

I have one conure and don't wanna more of them


.... but I have six all parrots


Be careful, it may be the first syndrome of MBS

I would now love a Quaker,but I think I may get objections from the OH.
Our plumber has one that travels around in his van with him, it gets too lonely being left at home,as his wife is also a plumber!
I think Connie will be an "Only Bird"!

Quakers are adorable . You never know, your hubby might want a new feathered friend to join you at some point.